Kinsler, Hunter lift Tigers by slumping Sox

Detroit's Nick Castellanos is out at first on a line-drive double play as he tries to dive back during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit Friday night.

By Rich Shook, The Sports Xchange

Posted June 06, 2014, at 10:17 p.m.

DETROIT — Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the fifth inning and Drew Smyly pitched five-hit ball for six innings Friday night to help the Detroit Tigers snap a season-worst five-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox have lost four straight.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez greeted reliever Chris Capuano with his 14th home run of the season to lead off the eighth inning, making it 5-2. Catcher Bryan Holiday tripled and scored on center fielder Austin Jackson’s seventh sacrifice fly of the season for a 6-2 lead.

Smyly (3-4) gave up two runs (one unearned), walked one and struck out four.

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Tigers relievers Ian Krol, Joba Chamberlain and Joe Nathan, who had a blown save and two losses in his previous six games, finished for Detroit.

Nathan, touched for 10 runs in his last 4 1/3 innings, allowed only a two-out single to right fielder Grady Sizemore.

Detroit came in having lost 13 of 17 since sweeping a three-game series in Boston. The Red Sox have had streaks of 10 losses, seven victories and four losses.

Third baseman Nick Castellanos had his second straight three-hit game for Detroit.

Boston right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (1-1) gave up Detroit’s first four runs to take the loss.

Consecutive home runs by Kinsler and Hunter with two out in the fifth gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead.

The Tigers broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to deep right center by Martinez that scored Hunter, who opened the inning with a single and went to third on first baseman Miguel Cabrera’s line single over shortstop.

Detroit tied the score in the third on an RBI single up the middle by shortstop Andrew Romine after Castellanos doubled down the right field line.

Boston took a 1-0 lead two batters into the game. First baseman Brock Holt singled to left center and scored on a double to left by third baseman Xander Bogaerts.

NOTES: Tigers IF Danny Worth cleared waivers and was outrighted Friday to the club’s Triple-A farm club in Toledo. … Boston 1B Mike Napoli (dislocated left ring finger) was on track to be activated off the disabled list Sunday to play against Detroit. … Tigers shortstops Kevin Romine (left shoulder) and Eugenio Suarez (left knee) “are not OK, but they can play,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “Suarez is hour to hour. We don’t feel like we have to make a move at this time.” … Red Sox hitting coach Greg Colbrunn will remain at the Cleveland Clinic for observation “for at least a week,” manager John Farrell said. Boston has brought up minor league hitting coordinator Tim Hyers to help fill in while Colbrunn recovers from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. … Boston OF Shane Victorino (right hamstring) may be ready for a rehab assignment soon. … Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (left knee) will throw a simulated game Saturday. … Boston LHP Felix Doubront (shoulder) made a brief start on his rehab assignment Thursday but will double his pitches to about 90 before he is activated.